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About the Library

The Mary Cotton Public Library was founded in 1912 and has been serving the Sabetha-area community for well over 100 years. Today, staff, volunteers, and trustees work to uphold the legacy left to us by Mrs. Mary Cotton: neighborly service to our community and access for all. 

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Learn the History

Starting in 1871 with the first library in Sabetha, then Mrs. Mary Cotton's home library, and finally a WPA public building in 1932, there are all kinds of cool stories to discover in the history of our community library. Learn about our namesake, Mary Cotton, and how her legacy lives on.

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Passionate about people, books and being helpful, the staff at MCPL love to serve our community. From circulation and grant writing to storytime and marketing, it takes all kinds of skills and people to keep the library humming. 

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Appointed by the Sabetha City Council, trustees are volunteers responsible for overseeing fiscal management, determining policies, guiding library services and advocating on behalf of the library. Trustees play a key role in the function of our public library. 

THE MCPL MISSION

MCPL will add value to our community by enhancing the library experience through barrier-free access to explore and educate while providing reliable service and resources.

Meet the Staff

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Kim Priest

DIRECTOR

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Sheri Edelman

CHILDREN'S LIBRARIAN & YOUTH PROGRAMMING

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Katie Hervey

CIRCULATION SPECIALIST

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Jan Weber

CIRCULATION

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Heather Murphy

CIRCULATION

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Krista Wasinger

COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST

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Jodi Nohl

PRESCHOOL STORYTIME OUTREACH

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Brianna Hermesch

CIRCULATION

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Tristan Schmid

CIRCULATION

Library Volunteers

ASSIST WITH RE-SHELVING BOOKS AND OTHER TASKS TO HELP WITH DAILY LIBRARY OPERATIONS

ALICE ZAHNER

MICHELLE STRAHM

SHEILA MOSER

SOPHIE SHAFER

ISABEL MUNOZ

Board of Trustees

Glen Arnold

PRESIDENT

Carolotta Sunderland

VICE PRESIDENT

Linda Hopp

CO-SECRETARY

Elaine Mowder

CO-SECRETARY

Shana Aberle

TREASURER

Emily Plattner

TRUSTEE

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TRUSTEE

Cody Bletscher

MAYOR

Kim Priest

DIRECTOR

MCPL's Values

Integrity — Keep our dealing with patrons honest and upfront.
Satisfaction — Staff and patrons will find satisfaction when coming to MCPL.
Results — Working hard to help patrons find what they are seeking.
Environment — Maintain a clean, safe, engaging facility.
Knowledge — Providing up-to-date resources, materials, and programming.

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Wait, so who is the Friends?

The Friends of the Mary Cotton Public Library is a local, independent 501(c)(3) non-profit that exists to support the library's role in and service to the community. It's comprised of local volunteers and businesses who are passionate about the library! See what the Friends is all about.

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